Just to check my math, what would be the psi per.001 if the dial is located 5.25″ from the hinge and the blade is located 1.75″ from the hinge. 5.25″/1.75″ = 3 so assuming a simple pivot and a very small angle of rotation the gauge would measure about 3 units for each unit of blade stretch so the 0.001 gauge deflection would indicate the actual blade stretch of 0.001″/3 = 0.000333″. BTW, the Starrett instructions indicate to put a little load on the gentle spring in the gauge before clamping to the blade to take up any play in the gauge.
Bandsaw tensioning After I built my home made bandsaw, I wanted to get a better idea of how much tension I was putting on the blade. “Bandsaw blades can take 15,000 PSI of tension. A greater limit is how much force your bandsaw can take. From my measurements, given the limitations of a typical bandsaw, it’s just about impossible to over-tension any but the narrowest of bandsaw blades. 70 pounds is more than my 14” bandsaw is capable of. Home made tension gauge Because clamping a caliper to a bandsaw blade is awkward and can damage the blade, I built myself a simple bandsaw tension gauge using some birch plywood and a dial indicator.
I tension it by feel then turn it on and off, if it doesn’t cost about 6″ of blade travel it’s too tight and too loose if it travels more.
best bandsaw tension gauge Related Question:
How much tension should a bandsaw blade be?
For carbon steel toothed blades (cutting blades) this is typically 15,000 to 25,000 PSI. Slitting type blades typically are tensioned in the range of 12,000 to 20,000 PSI. In general bandsaw blades are never tensioned past 35,000 psi.
Can you over tension a bandsaw?
Large bandsaws have frames that are capable of overtensioning a blade, which causes it to break. A tension meter is the most accurate way of setting the blade tension.
What causes bandsaw blade drift?
Drift is cause because the blade buckles under the load. You can see that by stretching a ribbon between 2 points and applying a pressure to one of the edges, it will turn sideway easily. A sharp blade and high blade speed will help a lot with that.
What is tension gauge?
Push & Pull Tension Gauge This is a multi-purpose dynamometer to measure compression and the competence tension of the measured object by using a head or hook.
Why does my bandsaw blade wobble?
The blade on a saw left idle for long periods of time can leave an impression in the rubber tire which might cause erratic tracking. Purchase and install aftermarket replacement tires. (Search for “bandsaw tire” at woodcraft.com.) If you still see a back-and-forth motion, the culprit is probably the wheel itself.
How long should a bandsaw blade last?
On average your bandsaw blade should last 6 months to as long as a few years depending on what your cutting with it. Make sure to match your blade strength and quality to the project and material your cutting.
Why do bandsaws wander?
If the wheels are worn and do not have a distinct top to the crown then the blade will not know where to go, and may wander around. This of course can cause poor cut quality and difficulty in setting the guides.
Why can’t I cut a straight line with my bandsaw?
Band Saw: Why won’t my band saw cut straight? When the band saw cuts crooked, a dull blade, improper feeding, loose blade tension or not using a work piece guide could be the cause. Use the rip fence or miter gauge to guide the work piece uniformly through the cutting blade to make straight cuts.
Why does my bandsaw blade burn the wood?
A majority of issues with wood burning is because of a dull saw blade. These blades may not be sharp enough to efficiently cut the wood, and thus create enough friction to heat and burn the wood. What is this? Dull blades make it more challenging to cut, which causes friction as you pass the wood through.
What type of bandsaw blade is best for Resawing?
Resawing involves making rip cuts in the face of a wide board. So just like you would on the table saw, you’ll want to select a blade with fewer teeth per inch (TPI) than the blades you use for crosscutting or cutting curves. For most 14″ band saws, a 1 ⁄ 2 “-wide blade with 2-3 TPI is a good choice.
How fast should a sawmill blade run?
Re: Speed of band blade or Rpms Wood Mizer likes the blade to run at 5800 Surface Feet Per Min. The LT70 Super is the first mill for Wood Mizer than you can adjust the band speed through engine RPM. Frozen and extremely hard and dense wood MAY cut better with a slower band speed.